Epistle for June 21, 2002
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Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation June 21, 2002
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In This Issue:
Sermon: Joshua 1-6
Bible Study: II Timothy 3:1-17
Personal Growth of the Minister
Dr. Scarborough's Letter
Storming Satan's Stronghold
"A wise man attacks the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust."
(Proverbs 21:22 NIV)
Spiritual warfare, from the human persepctive, is "a boy David versus a giant Goliath" battle. Like David,
most of us lack combat experience when compared with our enemy. We appear small and weak alongside a
muscular 9-foot-tall opponent. And our puny weapons seem to be no match for his armor and spear.
(See I Samuel 17).
Yet David challenged Goliath with these words of faith and courage, "I come against you in the name of
the Lord Almighty, the god of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled . . . All those gathered here
will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's."
As we volunteer to engage in spiritual warfare, we must:
1. Expect spiritual attacks from all directions, including even family and friends,
2. Remain as faithful watchmen at our assigned posts . . . praying without ceasing,
3. Be "armored and armed" for battle, and
4. Instantly respond to the Spirit's trumpet call to fight.
The taking of the city of Jericho (Joshua 1-6) provides us with God's strategy for taking our own city . . .
focusing our spiritual firepower on the enemy's stronghold. These seven steps emphasize the tactics
necessary for successfully laying siege to a stronghold.
I. Recruitment: God's Leader
Joshua 1:1-18. God chose a leader, encouraged him with promises of success, and gave him
definite orders for preparing for battle.
Has God chosen you to be a front-line intercessor, a prayer warrior? If so, look to His Word for
encouraging promises of sucess. Tune your spiritual ears to hear His commands on when and
how to advance against the enemy.
II. Reconnaissance: Know the Enemy
Joshua 2:1-24. Joshua sent two spies to probe the enemy's strengths and weaknesses, and to
enlist allies within the enemy's city.
As Jesus pointed out in Luke 14:31-32, wise warriors consider the strength of the opposition so as
not to be overwhelmed by superior numbers. We must not be afraid of Satan, but we should maintain a
healthy respect for his strength and cunning. Even the archangel Michael proceeded with caution. (Jude 9).
III. Requirement: Active Faith
Joshua 3:1-17. At God's command, the people followed the ark. When the priests bearing the ark
stepped into the Jordan River, the waters parted and the people crossed on dry ground.
Not many of us have "been this way before" . . . engaged in a life-and-death struggle with evil
forces. We must keep our eyes on God's presence (the ark), following Him in faith into the flood waters.
Such active faith always produces miracles.
IV. Remembrance: Praise and Thanksgiving
Joshua 4:1-24. When the people followed God's will as revealed by Joshua, they witnessed a
miracle and gained confidence. They immediately erected a memorial to God's power and providential
protection.
Notice the pattern for victory here: God moves out and the people follow in faith; God undertakes
miraculously and the people establish remembrance altars of worship. The Old Testament word for "strength"
is "praise". As we praise God for victories won and miracles witnessed, He increases our spiritual strength.
This increased strength brings more victories, resulting in additional praise . . . and the cycle repeats.
V. Renewal: Blood Covenant
Joshua 5:1-12. Jordan has been crossed, but Jericho stands impregnable. Before attacking,
God's people renew the covenant they'd neglected during the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. The
rite of circumcision is performed; Passover is celebrated; and the manna ceases, signifying that now God will
supply their needs in a different way . . . by taking plunder from their enemy rather than receiving bread from
heaven.
Even though we have experienced miraculous victories, we must return to the cross daily, receive
cleansing by the blood, and renew our committment to Christ. And, it is very possible that God will begin "a
new thing" . . . allowing us to be active participants in taking from the enemy the provisions by which God
supplies our needs, rather than to be merely passive recipients of His providential care.
VI. Revelation: God Reveals Himself
Joshua 5:13-6:5. Following recruitment, reconnaissance, requirement, remembrance, and
renewal . . . God revealed Himself to Joshua and gave him specific details of His plan for capturing Jericho.
As we enter the field of spiritual warfare, "Storming Satan's Stronghold," (our city), we do not
have a standardized plan for attacking all cities. We must get a vision of the Commander of the Lord's Army
(Jesus Christ, Himself) and fall at his feet in reverence . . . on holy ground.
Vision comes before victory! Like Joshua, we must fall facedown on the ground in reverence
and ask Jesus, "What message does my Lord have for His servant!" Only then will we be allowed to open
our "sealed orders" and find out specifically how to capture our particular stronghold city.
VII. Rejoicing: Victory is Won
Joshua 6:6-27. The people followed God's peculiar plan, silently marching around the city behind
the ark and the priests blowing trumpets. Six days pass . . . one circuit each day. Then on the seventh day,
seven trips around the city and at Joshua's command, a great shout! "And the walls came tumbling
down."
Figuratively (or perhaps literally), we should march around our city . . . surrounding Satan's
stronghold with prayers of intercession. Someday . . . perhaps not in a week or in a month or even in a year
. . . the Lord will command us: "Shout! For I have given you the city!"
Until that day, let us resolve to march in intercessory prayer around our city every day of every
week . . . every week of every month . . . every month of every year. Believe it: the wall will fall!
A Battle Ends . . . The War Continues
According to a common conception . . . perpetuated by some of the old hymns of the church . . . the
crossing of the Jordan River represents death. And entering the land of Canaan represents going to heaven.
A better analogy, however, is this:
1. Crossing Jordan represents entering enemy territory,
2. Canaanites represent our spiritual enemies,
3. Conquering the Promised Land, for Christians, means
engaging in spiritual warfare, and
4. "Rest" after the conquest does not refer to all the land
being subjugated and all the enemies defeated. In fact,
at the time of Joshua's death, there were "still very large
areas of land to be taken over," Joshua 13:1.
Judges 3:1-2 says the Lord left some nations in Canaan unconquered "to teach warfare to the
descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience," Rest, in this context, refers
to an uneasy truce before we attack the enemy or the enemy attacks us again. (See Luke 4:13).
One final word of encouragement from Joshua 23:10-11. "One of you routs a thousand, because the
Lord your God fights for you, just as He promised. So be very careful to love the Lord your God."
Perilous Times
(II Timothy 3:1-17)
I. Concentration: on the signs of "perilous times"
1. Men will be involved in continuing, expanding gross sins, vv. 2-4:
(1) Lovers of self (7) Unthankful (13) Brutal
(2) Lovers of money (8) Unholy (14) Despisers of good
(3) Boasters (9) Unloving (15) Traitors
(4) Proud (10) Unforgiving (16) Headstrong
(5) Blasphemers (11) Slanderers (17) Haughty
(6) Disobedient (12) Without (18) Lovers of
to parents self-control pleasure
2. Men will have a form of godliness, but deny God's power today, v.5.
3. Men continually will be studying, but never able to come to the knowledge
of the truth, v. 7.
4. Evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse, deceiving others and
even being deceived themselves, v. 13.
II. Meditation: on following Paul's example
1. Teach clear doctrine, based on the Scriptures, v. 10.
2. Copy lifestyle of faithfulness and integrity, v. 10.
3. Perceive God's specific purpose (destiny), v. 10.
4. Endure persecution (which all Christians will encounter), vv. 11-12.
III. Revelation: on Paul's challenge to Timothy
1. Continue with assurance in the things which you have learned, v. 14.
2. Have confidence in the Holy Scriptures and in those believers who taught
them to you, vv. 14-15.
3. Use the divinely inspired Scriptures to teach salvation, doctrine, reproof,
correction, and instruction in righteousness, vv. 15-16.
4. Grow into spiritual maturity, fully equipped to perform every good work
assigned to you by God, v. 17.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Avoid, through the power and grace of God, the gross sins listed above.
2. Experience the power of God in my life . . . not having merely "the form
of godliness."
3. Study (meditate on; listen to) God's word, and allow Him to bring me to
"the knowledge of the truth."
4. Have spiritual perception to enable me to reject false teachers and
teachings, and to embrace true teachers and teachings of God's word.
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Norman Vincent Peale said, "You can be greater than anything that can happen to you."
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Personal Growth of the Minister
by: Dr. David Claybrook, Pastor, Christ Chruch - St. Louis
Dear J.D. (Jesus' Disciple),
Song writing is not my cup of tea. I wish it were. I envy those, like Dr. Scarborough, who can
express themselves in verse and also those who can put together an appropriate tune. Neither has every
been possible for me, and I have tried on a few occasions. Having said all of that I humbly announce,
"I have written a song, a love song." After you have read it, I will tell you the story behind it.
It's called Marry Me, My Love.
Marry Me, My Love
(c) 1977
I just gazed into your upturned face, You've been hurt, and you've been used. There's such an anguish in my heart
And I offered you my warm embrace. You've been abandoned and abused. As I watch you play your part.
I said, "Marry me; marry me, my love. The smile you wear just masks the tears You want my love but other lovers too.
Come away with me and you've cried. I hope you understand
Marry me, my love." I have come to take your pain, As I offer you my hand,
To give you hope and joy again I'll be faithful, but
I have loved you from afar, Come home with me and Can't force you to be true ... But I'll ...
I know just who you are. Stay close by my side. Won't you ...
I know your strength, Marry you, I'll marry you, my love.
I know your failures too. Marry me, marry me, my love. I'll go away with you and
But in spite of all your pain, Come away with me and Marry you, my love.
Your heartache and your shame, Marry me, my love.
I love you and I promise to be true. I just gazed into you upturned face,
Won't you . . . You just smiled, I offered you my warm embrace.
but then you walked away I said, "I'll marry you marry you
Marry me; marry me, my love. It's as if you didn't my love.
Come away with me and hear me say, "Will you I'll go away with you and
Marry me, my love. Marry you, my love."
Marry me; marry me, my love.
Come away with me and Come away with me and
Marry me, my love." Marry me, my love."
J.D., I have a tune for it, but am open for suggestions. Now for the story. I was awakened by my
wife from an intense dream. In the dream I was a widower and had been led by God to a new bride.
I took her aside and, looking into her face asked her to marry me. She just smiled and walked away.
She didn't say "no" but she didn't say "yes" either. It was as if she intended to marry me, but still
wanted to "play the field" for a while longer. As a result I experienced an intense sadness, a feeling
that stayed with me almost all day.
I'm not sure, J.D., but I think for a few hours I touched a little of the heart of Jesus who loves the church
with such a deep love, but must watch as she flirts with the world. I have asked the Lord to resurrect in me
that single-hearted devotion and passion I had for him when I was first "betrothed" to him. I want to see
that smile on his face. How about you?
D.M. (Disciple Maker)
An Open Letter to Pastors from Dr. Curt Scarborough
Dear Pastor - Friend,
You are one of several hundred ministers in Missouri and other states who receive "E-pistle" each
week. Literally dozens of you have made it a point to thank me for the blessings and benefits you've
received since we began publishing this "iron sharpens iron" newsletter in September, 2001.
If you are one of those who have been blessed by the FreeWay Foundation's ministry, I'm asking
you to express that appreciation by becoming a blessing to us in our time of need! I'm asking you to lead
your church to make a one-time gift of $125 to support our drug and violence prevention programs in the
public schools. Your $125 gift will support one of our "missionaries to the public schools" for one day . . .
teaching in a half-dozen classes and impacting approximately 150 students.
We need extra help as we plan for the opening of schools in the fall because our income has fallen
off dramatically in the last few months . . . and we need to add an additional prevention specialist to serve
our increasing requests from the schools. We have a long waiting list of schools wanting us to come, but we
simply do not have the necessary resources to respond.
Please consider earmarking a $125 gift from your missions budget to our work this month. Or
perhaps you could take a special offering for us at the close of a Sunday morning service?
As a reader of "E-pistle" (and its predecessor "The Whetstone"), you know that this is the first
appeal I've made in several years. Frankly, I had not planned to ask for help through this newsletter, and only
a real emergency today could cause me to ask for a special gift from your church now. But the fact is,
without scores of churches giving a one-time gift of $125 this summer, FreeWay Foundation will not be able
to serve all the students in all the schools who have invited us to help do something about the rising tide of
drugs and violence in our schools.
Thank you for ministering to our needs (if the Lord so leads), as we have ministered to your needs
during these past months and years.
Blessings upon you!
Dr. Curt
P.S. As an expression of your appreciation for FreeWay Foundation's ministry to you through "E-pistle" . . .
will you lead your your church to help us in our need by sending a one-time gift of $125 to support a
"missionary" to the public schools" for one day? Thank you!